The acting attorney general indicated that the Justice Department has no plans to prosecute ordinary citizens who share the cryptic online message "86 47," distancing the government's case against former FBI Director James Comey from broader posts circulating on social media.
The statement came after questions about why Comey faced charges while countless others have posted the same numerical phrase. The acting AG acknowledged that such messages appear "posted constantly" across the internet, signaling that the department's focus on Comey rests on additional evidence rather than the message itself.
Officials declined to specify what other evidence factored into the decision to charge Comey, keeping those details confidential. The refusal to elaborate on the broader investigative picture leaves the exact nature of the case against the former law enforcement official largely opaque to the public.
The distinction drawn by Justice Department leadership suggests that merely repeating "86 47" online will not trigger prosecution. Instead, the government appears to be treating Comey's situation as one involving context or conduct beyond the message alone.
The comment represents an attempt to preempt criticism that the department was selectively enforcing laws based on political considerations. By clarifying that mass posting of the phrase would not result in charges, the acting AG sought to frame Comey's case as grounded in evidence specific to him rather than the slogan itself.
Comey has not made public statements responding to the charges or the Justice Department's characterization of its evidence. The case remains active, though the government's rationale for pursuing it separately from countless others sharing identical online posts continues to hinge on undisclosed investigative findings.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The vagueness here is doing more damage than transparency ever would,if there's real evidence against Comey, the public needs to see it."
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